All About Pocket Knives

This beauty showed up today - an Ulster 45 with cap lifter instead of a spey blade and it's got a 3rd spring with flip up beer can opener. I try to grab these church key knives whenever I come across one. They typically have 'CAN PIERCER' or 'BEVERAGE CAN OPENER' on the piercer but this is one of the few I've seen with nothing at all.

I've never seen one with a built in church key. I'll have to keep an eye out for one.

MAN.... now that is a cool one!
Very nice find... Congrats!

Very Nice

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:03 pm I've never seen one with a built in church key. I'll have to keep an eye out for one.

They surface once in a while, mostly as Imperials. They had a short run because they weren't made until the late 50s and by the very early 60s pop tops made them obsolete. In the pic you can see there were actually two styles made. I have no idea which was first.

That is interesting Jason. Thanks for showing.

Judging by the title, are you starting a schrade/ulster made craftsman thread? I don't think there is one but I could definitely get behind that.

Fishy.

KnifeSlinger#81 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:17 amJudging by the title, are you starting a schrade/ulster made craftsman thread? I don't think there is one but I could definitely get behind that.

Definitely the intent - would be great to see some Craftsmans! I looked for a thread but couldn't find one. I read somewhere (probably quoting Codger here) that Albert Baer used to use Sears as a litmus test for new ideas, so many of the 'new' features were first tried out on Craftsman knives and if they sold well it trickled down to the non-Craftsmans. I have wondered if that is the explanation for this Craftsman version 148 with blood grooves.

Wow, very cool! That's what I love about AAPK! Just when I think I've seen it all, or just what I need - something else to collect!

I just loooove the craftsman's. Here is one of my 9554's.


Craftsman etched SW 881.

The Craftsman knives were purposely ordered to have certain design features that the same pattern Schrade or Camillus does not have.
I had thought the tool on the backside was for piercing tin cans, not for opening bottles ("cap lifter").
jxr, nice display of knives with this 'extra' tool. It is the only time i have seen a group of these knives. Neat !
kj

Paul - that 9554 - wow!

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:46 amI had thought the tool on the backside was for piercing tin cans, not for opening bottles ("cap lifter").

You're right - it is for piercing beer cans. I have a tendency to type quick and hit 'submit' a little too fast and sometimes the content doesn't come across to the reader as intended. Perhaps I've got a bit of late onset ADHD going on here.

In this pic the Craftsman is next to an Ulster 45. The 3rd blade on the 45 is a spey but on the Craftsman it's been replaced with a cap lifter. The piercing tool on the back is in addition to the cap lifter. They added a third spring for the piercer.

A personal favorite

jxr1197 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg

I can see why.

jxr1197 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg

WOW.... Jason, you are killing me man!

THAT right there is a real beauty!!

If we are gonna show off some Craftsman knives....
I have a few...
Old Crafty Barlow..... A 9523.... A 9545....
(Bad picture) A 9547.... And a 95071.... These are among my favorites since they are Old Craftys.

AND... of course I had to have one of these guys that has the saw blade....

Craftsman 9555.... Sorry for the poor photography everyone.

Cool knives Mike.

Really like that knife Jason!

Bob

Another craftsman 9514 (SW 881).

WOW....
That is a real sho' 'nuff beauty Paul!!!
And again I say.... WOW.

jxr1197 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:11 pm A personal favorite
craftsman2ot.jpg

Wow! If you ever consider selling it, let me know!

Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?

blade objective wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:10 pm Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?

Sears made nothing but contracted with companies for all their products.

KnifeSlinger#81 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:33 pm Another craftsman 9514 (SW 881).

The color of that bone is unbelievable.

Mike - great show! You've got some good ones there.

I appreciate the comments on the 2OT - that one is on the 'taking it with me' pile.

blade objective wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:10 pm Are or were most or all these knives made by major knife companies for craftsman for (Sears}?

The ones in this thread are all made by Schrade/Ulster/Imperial. Sears never made a knife - they were all on contract. Camillus was another big supplier. There were others - I don't know all the companies they bought from.